Buddy Bison's Buzz - January 2013

Big Bend National Park Alpine,TX

The Elements after-school programWashington DC

Book reading at Beauvoir ElementaryWashington DC

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Happy 2013!

Welcome to a new year of exploring America's parks! I hope you made a resolution to spend more time outdoors. I know it's still cold, but that should not stop you from bundling up and playing outside. Have fun and remember to have your parents send me your pictures!

Happy Adventuring!

Buddy Bison

School Contest OPEN!

Potato sack race in Sandy Springs, GA

March 1 is the deadline for our National Kids to Parks Day School contest! Win a scholarship for your own park adventure. The contest is open to all students pre-K through 12th grade. Click here to learn more.

Here's what Belle, a 2012 contest winner, from Oden Elementary (AR) said about her trip:

I think you should take trips like this with your class. They are not only fun, but also EDUCATIONAL!

We look forward to seeing your contest entry!

Buddy Greets our Newest Young Citizens

Children's naturalization ceremony

Family Fun Fest at Biscayne National Park

I recently took a trip south to the Sunshine State, Florida to visit my friends at Biscayne National Park. While at the park, I had the privilege of welcoming 87 kids and 93 adults who became US citizens at a naturalization ceremony in the park. Park Ranger Gary Bremen had this to say about the ceremony:

By welcoming new citizens in a place that they now own, then immediately providing ways to learn about other National Parks, Biscayne is creating a new generation of stewards for the park and the National Park Service.

Thank you Ranger Gary for sharing this exciting news with our readers!

I went with my family to Denver, Colorado and we went to see Rocky Mountain National Park. We visited it during Thanksgiving and it was very cold and icy. There were a lot of trees and I had a chance to walk around Bear Lake. Next to the lake there were many rocks to climb on. The park is very mountainous with many hiking trails. I had a great time with Buddy Bison going on some of the trails.

Thanks Theo for sharing your adventure with me and my friends. Now it’s your turn to go visit a park and tell me about your adventure!

Bryson visits Big Bend National Park, TX

Adventurer of the Month

Congratulations Bryson, our Adventurer of the Month! Bryson has a great family tradition of visiting at least 5 parks each year and spending every Thanksgiving holiday at Big Bend National Park with friends and family! Here’s what Bryson had to say about his park trips:

I love Buddy because he helps other kids go to parks. Our favorite park is Big Bend National Park in Texas.

Thanks Bryson! I love tagging along with you on your outdoor adventures. For being our Adventurer of the Month, Bryson will receive my Buddy Bison prize package. If you would like to be considered as a candidate for the next Adventurer of the Month, email me at buddy@buddybison.org.

Buddy Bison encourages kids to "Explore outdoors, the parks are yours!" Kids (and adults) love taking Buddy with them to parks and snapping a few photos. Buy your loved one a Buddy Bison and receive a FREE 2013 NPT Calendar while supplies last! All proceeds from the sales of Buddy Bison benefit our Kids to Parks National Scholarship Fund!

Buddy Bison

Buddy Bison, our lovable woolly mascot encourages kids to explore outdoors, the parks are yours! Visit the Buddy Bison section of our site to learn more about our school program, and how you can get your own Buddy Bison and share your park adventures and photos. Did you know that proceeds from Buddy Bison sales help us get under-served kids to their local parks?

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NPT Selected for NPS Centennial Challenge Project

We are honored to be selected for a $450K match as part of the NPS Centennial Challenge Project to enhance and expand our youth programs! Read more here.

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"I am very pleased to be a part of National Park Trust’s board during this very exciting time as we approach the centennial celebration.”

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